Hometown Refurnishing will move to a new site in January. The store sells used furniture and home decor in an historic building in downtown Ephrata.
Since 2015, Hometown Refurnishing has occupied the former Sprecher’s Hardware building at 24 E. Main St., a downtown landmark where the hardware store’s old advertising mural is still visible on the side of the building. The new location is located at 20 Snyder Lane in Clay Township.
Hometown Refurnishing boasts an area of approximately 8,500 sq. feet on the first floor and second floor.
Chris and Christy Anderson stated they are moving because their new space offers more access and parking and a single-level showroom. The Andersons estimate they will have approximately 12,000 sq. feet. The original purpose of the building was to house chickens.
In 2015, the Andersons purchased the Sprecher Building from former business partners for $260,000. In August 2021, the Andersons sold it to Ephrata Development Co.. This building is home to Mainspring Ephrata, a downtown development organization.
Joy Ashley, Mainspring Ephrata’s Executive Director, said that plans are still being developed for a new tenant. In the meantime, Mainspring Ephrata is focusing on preserving the building, which includes protecting its façade, outside mural, circa-1912 elevator and the tin ceiling.
Ira George Sprecher opened Sprecher’s Hardware in 1868, selling goods on the first floor and living on the second floor. The family demolished the original store in 1912 and built the current one. This building was used as a home for the family’s hardware store until 2000.
